A Night of Firsts for the Tigers
Edwardsville’s soccer team captured the Class 3A Normal Community Sectional championship on Tuesday, defeating Peoria Notre Dame 2‑0 in a match that underscored the Tigers’ defensive resilience and offensive efficiency.
Anna Maxim opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a looping left‑footed strike that caught the Irish’s keeper off guard, and she doubled the lead in the 56th minute by heading in a corner from Thea Dimitroff.
Coach Justin Bernaix, while acknowledging the Irish’s perfect 23‑1‑2 record, stressed that the team’s focus remained on executing their own game plan rather than reacting to the opponent’s unbeaten streak.
Between the posts, keeper Genny Burroughs turned away seven shots, preserving a clean sheet that extended the Tigers’ unbeaten run to six consecutive shutouts and marked their 13th shutout of the season.
The victory not only secured Edwardsville’s fifth sectional title in program history but also ended Peoria Notre Dame’s bid for a third straight appearance at the state tournament, a streak that had seen them outscore opponents 146‑5 with 22 shutouts.
Looking Ahead to Bloomington
With the sectional crown in hand, the Tigers will travel to face Lincoln‑Way Central in the Bloomington Super‑Sectional, a matchup that could bring the program’s third state‑tournament appearance in recent years.
The upcoming opponent, Lincoln‑Way Central, represents a new challenge, but Edwardsville’s recent form suggests they enter the next round with confidence built on solid defense and timely scoring.
The team’s momentum is also bolstered by the performances of supporting players such as Gabby Thompson and Astri Selberg, who have contributed to a balanced attack and a disciplined back line.